City of Jackson's pregnancy rate in 2012 is highest in the state for cities with population of more than 20,000

JACKSON, MI – The teen birth rate in the city of Jackson was on a slight decline, but the most recent numbers show Jackson is again the No. 1 city in the state with the highest teen birth rate among cities that have a population of more than 20,000.

The 2012 data is the most recent data available, and is always two years behind. Out of 1,187 females in the city between the ages of 15 and 19, 100 gave birth. In the past Benton Harbor took first place, but the population is declining and now is under 20,000. The city of Pontiac ranked second.

In 2011, the city of Jackson ranked sixth in the state for teen pregnancy rates, which are slightly different than actual birth rates, but still indicative of the high rates in the city.

"We have made so much progress in Jackson County and in the city, but we have so much more work to do," said Michelle White, the coordinator for the county's Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative.

The TPPI works with multiple school districts to offer comprehensive, evidence-based sex education. While almost half of teen births take place in the city, the county had the 15th highest teen pregnancy rate in the state out of the 83 counties.